Konami Delays Metal Gear Solid 4

In a brief announcement, Konami has confirmed that the release of key PlayStation 3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has been delayed until the second quarter of 2008. Although the game has never had a release date any firmer than “this winter”, Konami has itself described the new release date as a delay, indicating that the move is “in order to make further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide.” Although there has often been a significant delay between the Japanese, North American and European release dates of previous games in the series, Konami has indicated that a near simultaneous worldwide release will be attempted with Metal Gear Solid 4. Despite this, a release in the West during the 2007 calendar year was never anticipated by either retailers or the media, with the “this winter” statement assumed to refer to an early 2008 date. Together with Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the PlayStation 3’s most important third party exclusives, both in terms of the franchises’ popularity and the game’s exploitation of the PlayStation 3’s abilities.